Is Jeremy Hellickson the Real Deal?

Many rookie sensations have been turning the heads of baseball fans throughout the nation this year, but none more recently than Jeremy Hellickson of the Tampa Bay Rays. Hellickson made his Major League debut against the AL Central leaders, the Minnesota Twins.

In his first start, Hellickson went seven innings of three-hit ball, only giving up two earned runs to the high-powered offensive attack of the Minnesota Twins. He dominated this lineup and has basically dominated all batters he has faced this year. Hitters are hitting a mere .136 against him this year and he has 18 punchouts in 20 innings.

As for his next start, he faced a Detroit Tigers team that has been declining as of late, but he performed even better in this start than the first. He again threw three-hit ball over seven innings, but had no earned runs and struck out seven. He was absolutely dominant in this start and didn't walk a batter.

For his most recent start, it was against the hottest team in the American League in the Baltimore Orioles. He threw his third consecutive three-hitter over six innings and fanned five batters. After this start, he is the first Tampa Bay pitcher to win his first three starts in team history.

Tampa Bay has been a hot spot for young stars to grow from their farm system. Last year, David Price dominated and is doing the same this year. Some people could call this a fluke or that he will die out soon, but I believe that Hellickson will be a dominant pitcher for years to come.